What are blood blisters? They have the look and feel of a blister, but are red instead of clear. The red color is caused by tiny ruptured blood vessels bleeding out between surrounding layers of skin. This blood accumulates under the surface because layers of skin are separated, but the top one is not pierced.
A blood blister is not caused by friction, but trauma that damages blood vessels without breaking the skin. Types of injuries that cause blood blisters are skin crushing, pinching or squeezing. Some examples of these impacts include stubbing a toe, hammering a finger or getting skin caught between a clamp.
A blister with blood can be painful, so applying ice shortly after an injury can offer pain relief and prevent excessive inflammation. Afterwards, basic treatment is leaving your blood blister alone and exposed to heal naturally. Covering it will slow the wound healing process.
Popping a blister containing blood increases your risk of skin infection at the site. Treatment for blood blisters that do pop entails rinsing, drying and applying a topical antibiotic or antiseptic, for instance Neosporin. And leave the top layer of dead skin intact for added protection.
If you have diabetes, contact your health care professional for special treatment.